Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience

Overview

The Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience Subject Area explores research into what makes us human, what it means to be alive, and why we behave in the ways we do. Our Researchers are involved in activity surrounding the workings of the brain; the processes and mechanisms of human thinking, feeling and behaviour; and how psychologists, psychological research and therapy can make a tangible and positive difference to people's lives and society.

Groups

The research activity conducted in the subject area is underpinned by five research groups:

The Addiction and Aberrant Behaviours group comprises two main units – the International Gaming research group and the Sexual Offences, Crime and Misconduct research group. The International Gaming Research Unit's focus is on behavioural addictions and utilises quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods for both online and offline research. The Sexual Offences, Crime and Misconduct research focuses on applied forensic research, particularly in the area of sexual abuse. Other areas of research by the unit include understanding the rehabilitative climate of prisons, self-harm and suicide, professional boundaries, violent offending, fraud and deception and the treatment and rehabilitation of people who have offended.

The Wellbeing group's research activity ranges from neuroscientific and clinical work aimed at understanding and improving the treatment of psychological disorders across the life span (e.g., ADHD, psychosis, depression, or dementia) to work focusing on a spectrum of health and well-being in community and workplace settings. We have a particular interest in the impact of stress and psychological trauma on well-being and behaviour.

The Cognition and Perception group explores theoretical and applied work on human cognition, perception and action. The group comprises approximately 16 core members of faculty with work including both traditional laboratory experiments and applied research on a range of topics in cognition. Research by the group draws on dedicated Psychology research facilities and specialist resources.

The Language and Psycholinguistics group conducts research ranging from language acquisition and development through to mathematical modelling of psycholinguistic data. Our work examines both typical and atypical language and literacy development, particularly in the areas of specific language impairment, dyslexia, and autism.

The Development, Interaction and Social Relations group focuses it's activities on aspects of the development of interpersonal relationships and communication from early childhood through to late adulthood using a variety of observational and experimental techniques. We tackle a range of topics with the ultimate goal of developing resilient individuals who contribute fully to society.